New Mix: John Vanderslice, Hospitality, Marijuana Deathsquads, More
Clockwise from upper left: Ephel Duath, Hospitality, Toy, John Vanderslice Courtesy of the artists hide caption
On this episode of All Songs Considered, hosts Bob Boilen and Robin Hilton are still buzzing from the concerts they saw last week, from the spastic noise rock of Marijuana Deathsquads (webcast live from the 9:30 Club), to an intimate, joyful and humor-filled set by John Vanderslice. Both shows offer a good excuse to revisit their respective 2013 albums: Dagger Beach from John Vanderslice, and Oh My Sexy Lord from Marijuana Deathsquads.
Later, Bob and Robin are joined by NPR Music's Lars Gotrich. He's back this week with a massive, intricately woven song from Italian progressive metal band Ephel Duath. The group's new album, Hemmed by Light, Shaped by Darkness, is streaming now on our First Listen series.
Also on the show: Bob tries to understand how the British psych rock band Toy can have such a huge wall of sound one minute, and sound like The Byrds the next; Liz Harris of Grouper and Brooklyn musician Jefre Candu-Ledesma collaborate on a new project called Raum, with a strange and mesmerizing sound; and the breezy pop band Hospitality is back with a somewhat grittier sound on a new record called Trouble. Meanwhile the ghost of former All Songs intern Thor Slaughter just won't stop haunting the show. Pizza.
Songs Featured On This Episode
Marijuana Deathsquads
- Song: Ewok Sadness
- from Oh My Sexy Lord
Marijuana Deathsquads, featured live last week on NPR Music, is the brainchild of Ryan Olson, who is also the songwriter for Poliça, and mastermind behind the supergroup Gayngs. "Ewok Sadness," a slow-burning track, comes from Marijuana Deathsquad's new album, Oh My Sexy Lord.
TOY
- Song: Join the Dots
- from Join the Dots
"Join the Dots" is the title-track from Toy's sophomore release. At nearly eight minutes long, it's a mammoth and winding track, punctuated by bursts of psych-influenced punk intensity.
John Vanderslice
- Song: How the West Was Won
- from Dagger Beach
"How the West Was Won" comes from John Vanderslice's Dagger Beach, one of Bob and Robin's favorite albums from 2013. It's a deceptively complicated track with a lot of layers to discover.
Hospitality
- Song: I Miss Your Bones
- from Trouble
Hospitality's self-titled 2012 debut record won a lot of fans for its breezy, wistful look at coming of age. But for a followup, the band takes a slightly edgier, rock-minded turn. Trouble is due out Jan. 2014.
Raum
- Song: Blood Moon
- from In The Event Of Your Leaving
Raum is the new project from Liz Harris (who records as a solo artist under the name Grouper) and Jefre Cantu-Ledesma, perhaps best known for his work in The Alps. The duo describe their ethereal, haunting song "Blood Moon" as '"a loose set of memories and dreams." You can pre-order In The Event Of Your Leaving now at Glass, house.
Ephel Duath
- Song: Feathers Under My Skin
- from Hemmed By Light, Shaped By Darkness
NPR Music's Lars Gotrich shares the gnarled "Feathers Under My Skin" from Italian metal band Ephel Duath's new album, Hemmed by Light, Shaped by Darkness. You can hear the full record in our First Listen series.